Hanau Outskirts

The Soviet 8th Guards Army reached Hanau, on the outskirts of Frankfurt-am-Main, on the third day of the invasion. With NATO's resolve stiffening along the central axis of advance, the Soviets were eager not to let up on their momentum in their attack on this critical target.

The mission to breach the defenses in front of Hanau fell on the vanguard of the 57th Motorized Rifle Division. A combined arms assault was to clear the security zone and outposts on the Main River, manned by a scattering of American and West German units. Once a way had been smashed open, follow-up armor of the Soviet 79th Guards Tank Division would exploit the success.